Dispensing package

ABSTRACT

A dispensing package for holding and dispensing food products, such as yogurts, frozen confections, custards, and the like, comprises a unitary, one-piece package body preferably comprising thermo-formed polymeric material which is liquid impermeable. The package body includes a seamless sidewall having a generally elongated, downwardly and inwardly tapering configuration. A lower portion of the sidewall is inwardly deformable so that inward deformation urges product within the package upwardly through the open mouth of the package for dispensing the product.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed generally to a dispensing package suitable for holding and dispensing individual servings of food products such as frozen confections, custards, yogurts, and the like, and more particularly to a dispensing package having a unitary, one-piece package body formed from polymeric material which is liquid impermeable, with a sidewall of the package body being inwardly deformable by manipulation of the package so that product within the package is urged upwardly through an open mouth at the upper end of the sidewall of the package body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many food products, it is desirable to provide single-serve packages by which individual servings of the product can be packaged, stored, shipped, and eventually handled by the consumer. Single-serve packages of this type can be used for a wide variety of food products, including frozen confections, puddings, yogurts, and like semi-liquid comestibles.

For some single-serve packages, it is desirable that the food product can be dispensed and consumed without use an associated spoon or other utensil. By way of example, “push-up” type containers frequently used for frozen confections include an outer cylindrical tube, typically formed from spirally-wound paper, with an associated piston-like plunger which can be manipulated to push the frozen product upwardly through the outer tube for consumption. For some types of food products, it is desirable to provide a dispensing package which can be squeezed and deformed in order to urge the food product upwardly and outwardly for consumption. It is believed that this type of container can be advantageously employed for semi-liquid products, such as yogurt, custard, and the like.

The present invention is directed to a dispensing package which facilitates dispensing of a frozen or non-frozen, semi-liquid food product such as yogurt or custard, by squeezing and deforming the package, without use of an associated utensil. Notably, the present package is configured from substantially liquid-impermeable material, with economic and convenient use of the package thus facilitated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A dispensing package embodying the principles of the present invention comprises a unitary, one-piece package body within which a frozen or non-frozen, semi-liquid food product such as yogurt or custard can be packaged. Notably, the package is configured to facilitate convenient dispensing and consumption of the food product without use of an associated utensil or the like, by merely squeezing and inwardly deforming the package, whereby the food product is dispensed upwardly through an open mouth of the package. Notably, manufacture of the present package from thermo-formed polymeric material renders the package impermeable to liquid, thus facilitating use for non-frozen products. Problems associated with leakage, seepage, or wicking of such non-frozen food products with a package formed from paper-based material are desirably avoided.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiments, the unitary, one-piece package body includes a side-wall having a generally elongated, downwardly and inwardly tapering configuration. The sidewall of the package body has a closed lower end at the bottom of the sidewall, with an upper end of the sidewall terminating at an open mouth, opposite the closed end, for dispensing product from within the package. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the package body comprises a thermo-formed polymeric material which is liquid impermeable, with the sidewall of the package being seamless. Formation from polypropylene or low density polyethylene is presently contemplated, but it will be appreciated that a wide variety of polymeric materials can be employed for manufacture of the present dispensing package while keeping with the principles disclosed herein.

In order to facilitate dispensing of product from within the package upwardly and outwardly through the open mouth, the sidewall of the package is inwardly deformable by manipulating and squeezing the sidewall of the package. In this fashion, product is urged upwardly through the open mouth for dispensing and consumption of the product.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiments, the package includes an overturned edge portion at the upper end of the sidewall of the package body. In the preferred form, the overturned edge of the sidewall defines an annular, generally upwardly-facing surface to facilitate sealing of the package by application of a closing element to the surface. Such a closing element can be provided in the form of a suitable heat-sealable foil or the like.

While the specific configuration of the package body can be varied while keeping with the principles disclosed herein, in the illustrated embodiments, the sidewall of the package body includes an upper portion, and an inwardly deformable lower portion. In one embodiment, the upper portion is generally cylindrical, while the lower portion is generally frusto-conical to facilitate nested stacking of plural ones of the packages. In another embodiment, the upper and lower portions of the sidewall each have generally elliptical cross-sections. In these embodiments, the sidewall of the package defines an annular step spaced from the upper end of the sidewall. The annular step is engageable with an upper end of a sidewall of a like package to facilitate nested stacking of plural ones of the packages.

In another illustrated embodiment, the upper portion of the sidewall is generally cylindrical, and the lower portion of the sidewall presents opposed, generally flattened surfaces which taper downwardly toward each other. Thus, at least a portion of the lower portion of the sidewall has a generally elliptical cross-section, with the flattened surfaces being inwardly deformable by pinching to force product upwardly and out of the package.

As noted, economical use of the present package from liquid impermeable polymeric material is facilitated by thermo-forming of the package on a deep draw thermo-forming machine, such as available from Illig Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany. It is presently contemplated that the package be provided with a volume on the order of approximately 50-120 ml, with a package material, and sidewall thickness, selected to facilitate convenient manipulation and squeezing of the package for product dispensing.

The present package is particularly versatile in use. The package can be employed for refrigerated products. Additionally, the packaged product can easily be transferred from the refrigerator to the freezer. The frozen product can then easily be placed in a child's lunchbox or the like for later consumption, or can even be consumed directly from the freezer in frozen form.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing package embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a relatively enlarged, fragmentary view, showing stacking of plural ones of the present dispensing package;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present dispensing package;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present dispensing package;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a relatively enlarged, perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a dispensing package configured in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, which can be configured to provide a relatively larger interior volume;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view thereof; and

FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

With reference first to FIGS. 1-4, therein is illustrated a dispensing package 10 embodying the principals of the present invention. The specific size, shape, and configuration of the present dispensing package can be widely varied, while keeping with the principles disclosed herein. As will be described, the present dispensing package is configured for convenient dispensing and consumption of a food product, such as frozen custard, frozen yogurt and like comestibles, by gripping, squeezing, pinching and inwardly deforming a sidewall of the package, so that product within the package is forced upwardly through the open mouth of the package, for convenient consumption by consumers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dispensing package 10 has a generally elongated configuration, including a unitary, one-piece package body 12 having a sidewall having a generally elongated, downwardly and inwardly tapering configuration. The sidewall of the package has a closed lower end 16 at the bottom of the sidewall, with an upper end of the sidewall terminating at an open mouth 18, opposite closed end 16, for dispensing product from within the package.

In the preferred embodiment the one-piece package body 12 comprises polymeric material, preferably thermo-formed polymeric material, which is liquid impermeable. The sidewall of the package body is seamless, thereby abating any problems of potential seepage or leakage, as can occur in connection with spirally wound paper packages, having seams where the paper of the package is joined together.

In this embodiment, the sidewall of the package 12 includes an upper, generally cylindrical portion 20, and a frusto-conical, inwardly deformable lower portion 22. By this arrangement, inward deformation of the lower portion 22 of the sidewall, by inwardly squeezing and pinching the sidewall, causes product within the package to be urged upwardly through the upper portion of the sidewall, and outwardly through the open mouth of the package for dispensing the product.

For some applications, it can be desirable to configure the upper portion 20 of the sidewall of the package to have a greater wall thickness than the lower portion 22 of the sidewall.

In accordance with this illustrated embodiment, the upper portion of the package body includes an overturned edge portion 24 at the upper end of the sidewall. In the preferred embodiment, the sidewall of the package body 12 defines an annular step 26 at a lower edge of the upper portion 20 of the sidewall. The annular step 26 is spaced from the upper end of the sidewall, with the annular step being engageable with an upper end of a sidewall of a like package, to facilitate nested stacking of plural ones of the packages, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In the preferred form, the closed lower end 16 of the sidewall of the package body 12 comprises a non-planar, deformable tip portion. As illustrated, the tip portion has an inwardly tapering configuration, with at least a portion having a generally elliptical cross-section. By this configuration, the tip portion presents opposed, generally flattened surfaces which can be deformed toward each other by pinching the tip portion, for forcing product upwardly from within the tip portion.

As noted, the present dispensing package has a generally elongated configuration, but again, the specific dimensions and configuration of the package can be widely varied while keeping with the principals disclosed herein. By way of example, the illustrated dispensing package 10 has a height, i.e. length, and has a diameter at the upper portion of the sidewall of the package. It is contemplated that in the preferred form, the ratio of the height of the package to its diameter is in a range from about 2.5:1 to about 5:1.

With reference now to FIGS. 5-7, therein is illustrated a further embodiment of the present dispensing package, generally designated 60. In accordance with the present invention, dispensing package 60 comprises a unitary, one-piece package body including a sidewall 62 having a generally elongated, downwardly and inwardly tapering configuration. The sidewall 62 includes a closed lower end 66 at the bottom of the sidewall, with an upper end of the sidewall terminating in an open mouth, opposite closed lower end, for dispensing product from within the package.

In accordance with the present invention, the body of the dispensing package 60 comprises thermo-formed polymeric material, which is liquid impermeable.

The sidewall 62 of the package body is seamless, and includes an upper portion 70, and a downwardly and inwardly tapering lower portion 72 which is inwardly deformable. By inward deformation of the lower portion of the sidewall, product within the package is urged upwardly through upper portion 70 and through the open mouth for dispensing the product.

The sidewall of the dispensing package includes at least a portion having a generally elliptical cross-section, which presents opposed surfaces which can be deformed towards each other by pinching or forcing product upwardly through the open mouth for dispensing the product. In this illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 62 of the package body defines annular step at a lower edge of upper portion 70 of the sidewall, which annular step is spaced from the upper end of the sidewall.

In this embodiment, the lower portion 72 of the sidewall has a generally elliptical cross-section, with the upper portion 70 of the sidewall also having a generally elliptical cross-section (see FIG. 7). By this generally elliptical cross-section configuration, the package presents opposed surfaces, particularly at the lower portion 72 of the sidewall, which surfaces can be inwardly deformed toward each other for dispensing product.

In this embodiment, the dispensing package 60 includes a flange 74 at the upper edge of the package sidewall, with the flange defining an annular, generally upwardly-facing surface to facilitate sealing of the package by application of a suitable closing element to the surface.

With reference now to FIG. 8-10, therein is illustrated a further embodiment of the present dispensing package, generally designated 80. Dispensing package 80 comprises a unitary, one-piece package body including a sidewall 82 having a generally elongated, downwardly and inwardly tapering configuration. The sidewall of the package body has a closed lower end at the bottom of the sidewall 82, with an upper end of sidewall terminating at an open mouth, opposite the closed end, for dispensing product from within the package.

The package body comprises thermo-formed polymeric material which is liquid impermeable. The sidewall 82 of the package body is seamless, and includes an upper portion 90, and a downwardly and inwardly tapering lower portion 92 which is inwardly deformable. By inward deformation of the lower portion of the sidewall, product within the package is urged upwardly through the upper portion 90 of the sidewall, and through the open mouth of the package for dispensing the product.

In this embodiment, the lower portion 92 of the sidewall includes at least a portion having a generally elliptical cross-section, which presents opposed surfaces which can be deformed towards each other by pinching for forcing the product upwardly through the open mouth for dispensing the product. More particularly, the lower portion 92 of the sidewall presents opposed, generally flattened surfaces which taper downwardly toward each other, and which can be deformed inwardly by pinching to force product upwardly and out of the package. In this embodiment, the upper portion 90 of the sidewall is generally cylindrical.

A flange 94 at the upper edge of the package sidewall defines an annular, generally upwardly-facing surface to facilitate sealing of the package by application of a suitable closing element to the surface.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications which fall within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing package, comprising: a unitary, one-piece package body including a sidewall having a generally elongated, downwardly and inwardly tapering configuration, said sidewall of said package body having a closed lower end at the bottom of said sidewall, with an upper end of said sidewall terminating at an open mouth, opposite said closed lower end, for dispensing product from within said package, said package body comprising thermo-formed polymeric material which is liquid impermeable, said sidewall of side package body being seamless, and including an upper, generally cylindrical portion, and a frusto-conical, inwardly deformable lower portion, so that by inward deformation of said lower portion of said sidewall, product within said package is urged upwardly through upper portion of said sidewall and through said open mouth for dispensing the product.
 2. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 1, wherein said package body includes an overturned edge portion at the upper end of said sidewall.
 3. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 2, wherein said overturned edge portion of said sidewall defines an annular, generally upwardly-facing surface to facilitate sealing of said package by application of a closing element to said surface.
 4. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sidewall of said package body defines an annular step at a lower edge of said upper portion of said sidewall, which annular step is spaced from the upper end of said sidewall, said annular step being engageable with an upper end of a sidewall of a like package to facilitate nested stacking of plural ones of said packages.
 5. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 4, wherein said closed lower end of said sidewall of said package body comprises a non-planar, deformable tip portion, said tip portion having an inwardly tapering configuration, with at least a portion having a generally elliptical cross-section, so that the tip portion presents opposed, generally flattened surfaces which can be deformed toward each other by pinching said tip portion for forcing product upwardly from within said tip portion.
 6. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 4, wherein said dispensing package has a height, and has a diameter at said upper portion of said sidewall, wherein the ratio of said height to said diameter is in a range from about 2.5:1 to about 5:1.
 7. A dispensing package, comprising a unitary, one-piece package body including a sidewall having a generally elongated, downwardly and inwardly tapering configuration, said sidewall of said package body having a closed lower end at the bottom of said sidewall, with an upper end of said sidewall terminating at an open mouth, opposite said closed lower end, for dispensing product from within said package, said package body comprising thermo-formed polymeric material which is liquid impermeable, said sidewall of side package body being seamless, and including an upper portion, and downwardly and inwardly tapering lower portion which is inwardly deformable, so that by inward deformation of said lower portion of said sidewall, product within said package is urged upwardly through upper portion of said sidewall and through said open mouth for dispensing the product, said sidewall including at least a portion having a generally elliptical cross-section, which presents opposed surfaces which can be deformed toward each other by pinching for forcing product upwardly through the open mouth for dispensing the product.
 8. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 7, wherein said sidewall of said package body defines an annular step at a lower edge of said upper portion of said sidewall, which annular step is spaced from the upper end of said sidewall.
 9. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 8, wherein said lower portion of said sidewall has a generally elliptical cross-section.
 10. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 7, wherein said upper portion of said sidewall has a generally elliptical cross-section.
 11. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 7, wherein said lower portion of said sidewall presents opposed, generally flattened surfaces which taper downwardly toward each other, and which can deformed inwardly by pinching to force product upwardly and out of a said package.
 12. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 11, wherein said upper portion of said sidewall is generally cylindrical.
 13. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 8, wherein said upper portion of said sidewall is generally cylindrical, and said lower portion of said sidewall is generally frusto-conical.
 14. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 13, wherein said upper sidewall portion has a wall thickness greater than said lower sidewall portion.
 15. A dispensing package in accordance with claim 13, wherein said closed lower end of said sidewall of said package body comprises a non-planar, deformable tip portion, said tip portion having an inwardly tapering configuration, with at least a portion having a generally elliptical cross-section, so that the tip portion presents opposed, generally flattened surfaces which can be deformed toward each other by pinching said tip portion for forcing product upwardly from with said tip portion. 